The lies we keep

s day, Eleanor's garden, Lena's work at the local library. It was a car

parents, observing the subtle cues, the micro-expressions that betrayed the truth. The way E

ming he had more work to do. Eleanor started clea

silence any longer. "Mom," she bega

s just busy, darling. He's und

u find it odd that

sher with unnecessary force. "Perhaps he forgot.

Don't you see? He's lying! He did

till to Lena. "I don't know

you don't. Everyone knows,

ce pale. "Please, Lena, don't

e making trouble! He's the

eyes. "We are a family, Len

er, incredulous. "Even

are necessary. Sometimes, they're the

uld her mother be so blind? So willing to sacrifi

a said, her voice trembling

atmosphere of denial. She needed air, she needed space, she need

lurring through her tears. She ended up at Chloe's apartmen

ed?" Chloe asked,

the years of suspicion, the lies,

eady stream of support. When Lena final

"You deserve better. Your mom deserves better. And ho

voice choked with emotion. "If I conf

be destroyed to be rebuilt. You can't fix

fronting her father, of shattering the carefully

, Chloe," s

g, Lena. You're stronger than you think. And yo

. She knew she couldn't continue to live in denial. She had to do somet